Monday, April 19, 2021

How to read a METAR

 

How to read a METAR

Updated: Aug 3, 2019

What is a METAR you may ask? How do I read one? A METAR is an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR). It is a surface weather observation in the terminal area of the airport used to inform pilots of the local weather phenomena. It is generally published hourly, usually 55 or 56 minutes past the hour, and contains the following information:


Winds shown on a METAR, TAF, winds aloft table, or surface analysis chart are represented in true headings, whereas winds represented through an ATIS, AWOS/ASOS, or PIREP are in magnetic headings. A useful adage is that “If you read it, it must be true. If you hear it, it’s magnetic.”

- Type of Report

- Station identifier

- Date and time of report

- Report modifier (As required)

- Wind

- Visibility

- Present Weather Group

- Sky Condition

- Temperature/Dewpoint

- Altimeter

- Remarks

- Automated, Manual, and Plain Language Remarks

- Sensor Status Indicators


How to find the METAR:

Go to https://www.aviationweather.gov/metar and select the airport you’re flying out of.


An example of a METAR can be seen below:

1. Type of Report (METAR) As seen here, METAR is the type of report. This indicator precedes the body of all reports, but may not be shown or displayed on all aviation weather sites. There are two types of reports - a METAR or a SPECI. A METAR is the scheduled observation usually 55-56 minutes past the hour. A SPECI is a report that is given between the usual intervals of the METAR that contain significant weather changes such as major thunderstorms or tornadoes.


2. Station Identifier (KPSM) The station identifier is shown in ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) format and is included in all reports to identify the station to which the code report applies. KPSM is the airport code for Portsmouth, NH.


3. Date and Time (161556Z)

The date and time are coded in all reports in the following format:

The day of the month in the first two digits (16); followed by the hour (15); and the minutes (56) in UTC or “Zulu” (Z) time.

16 (16th day of the month)

1556Z (15:56 UTC)


4. Report Modifier (AUTO) This identifies the METAR/SPECI as a fully-automated report with no human intervention or oversight. In this case, the report was fully-automated. In the event of a corrected report, you will see “COR” instead of “AUTO.”


5. Wind (09008G12KT)

The wind information is grouped into three categories: wind direction (degrees); wind speed (knots), and wind gusts (knots).


Wind direction - coded as the first three digits (090), determined by averaging the recorded wind direction over a 2-minute period. It is coded as tens of degrees relative to true north. Directions less than 100 degrees are preceded with a 0. For example, a wind direction of 90 degrees is coded as 090. A wind from the north is coded as 360.


09008G12KT (090 is the wind direction)


Wind direction may be considered variable when, during the previous 2-minute evaluation period, the wind speed was 6kts or less. In this case the wind may be coded as VRB in place of the three-digit wind direction.


Wind speed - coded as two or three digits (08) immediately follows the wind direction. Wind speed is determined by averaging the speed over a 2-minute period and is coded in whole knots (kts). If wind speed is less than 10 kts, a leading 0 is used to maintain a two-digit wind code format, like in this example.


09008G12KT (08 is the wind speed in knots)


If no motion of air is detected, the air is reported as “calm.” A calm wind is displayed like “00000KT.”


Wind gusts - coded in two or three digits following the wind speed. The “G” signifies that there are wind gusts, and the number value signifies the speed of wind gusts in knots (“KT”).


09008G12KT (wind gusts at 12 knots)


6. Visibility (10SM)

Visibility is coded as the surface visibility in statute miles. The visibility group ends with “SM” to reference statute miles.


10SM = 10 statute miles of visibility


You may also see visibility look something like...


1 1/2SM = 1 and a ½ statute miles of visibility (here, the space separates whole number from a fraction)


M1/4SM = less than ¼ statute miles of visibility

(here, the preceding “M” means “less than”)


7. Present Weather (+RA) Present weather includes precipitation, obscurations and other weather phenomena. See table 3-2 below for weather codes.

In this case, +RA = heavy rain.




8. Sky condition (BKN050)

This is a description of the sky’s appearance. It includes either cloud cover, vertical visibility, or clear skies. The first three letters characterize the clouds with amount of cloud coverage (BKN) which means “broken clouds.” The numbers describe the base of the clouds in hundreds of feet.


BKN050 = broken clouds at 5000’


Vertical visibility (VV) is the distance seen from the ground up. You will find vertical visibility listed when it’s rather foggy and difficult to see the base of the “cloud.”


The ceiling is 500 ft in both examples, but the indefinite ceiling example (bottom) produces a more adverse impact to landing aircraft. This is because an obscuration (e.g. fog, blowing dust, snow) limits runway acquisition due to reduced slant range visibility. This pilot would be able to see the ground, but not the runway. If the pilot was at approach minimums, the approach could not be continued and a missed approach must be executed.





9. Temperature / Dewpoint (16/06) These numbers describe the temperature and dew point in degrees Celsius. Temperature is the first number (16) and is the degree of hotness or coldness of the ambient air, as measured by a suitable instrument.


Dewpoint is the second number (06) and is the temperature to which a given parcel of air must be cooled at constant pressure and constant water vapor content for the air to become fully saturated.


Temperature and dewpoint are displayed as two digits, rounded to the nearest whole degree Celsius. If the number is less than 10, a zero is placed before the temperature number to maintain a two digit number. Sub-zero temperatures and dewpoints are prefixed with an M.


16/06 (16 is the temperature in degrees Celsius)

16/06 (06 is the dew point in degrees Celsius)



10. Altimeter (A2980)

This is the altimeter setting group, which codes the current pressure at elevation. This setting is used by aircraft altimeters to determine true altitude above a fixed plane of mean sea level (MSL). The altimeter always starts with an “A” and is followed by the four-digit group representing the pressure in tens, units, tenths, hundredths of inches of mercury. Decimal point is not coded.


11. Remarks (RMK)

Remarks are separated from the body of the report by the contraction “RMK.” When no remarks are necessary, RMK is not required. There are many different types of remarks, however this article will review more of the common remarks seen.


11.1. Type of Automated Station (AO2A)

There are two types of automated stations - AO1 or AO2. AO2 is an automated station which has a precipitation discriminator, meaning it allows differentiation of precipitation (snow, hail, rain, etc.). AO1 is an automated station which does not have a precipitation discriminator, therefore it cannot distinguish types of precipitation.


In this case, the automated station (AO2A) has a precipitation discriminator and identified the precipitation as rain.


11.2. Sea Level Pressure (SLP132)

At designated stations, sea level pressure is coded in the following format:

SLP as the identifier, immediately followed by sea level pressure in millibars.

The hundreds and thousands units are not coded and must be inferred.


SLP132 = sea level pressure

SLP132 = 1,013.2 mb


More examples:

A sea level pressure of 998.2 mb is coded as SLP982

A sea level pressure of 1,013.2 mb is coded as SLP132.


11.3. Hourly Temperature and Dewpoint (T01561055)

At specific stations, the hourly temperature and dewpoint group are further coded to the tenth of a degree Celcius. This code starts with “T” followed by a series of eight numbers, the first being temperature, and the last four being the dewpoint. The first number may be a 1 or a 0. A 1 indicates the temperature or dewpoint is negative whereas a 0 indicates the temperature or dewpoint is positive. The following two numbers is the whole degree of either the temperature (15) or dewpoint (05). The last number of the four digits is the tenth of degree (Temperature 6 and dewpoint 5).


T01561055 would be read as “The temperature is positive 15.6 degrees Celsius and the Dewpoint is negative 5.5 degress Celsius.


12. Maintenance Indicator ($)

This is coded when automated systems detect that maintenance is needed on the system.




METAR and TAF Weather Reports
Weather Identifiers:


B - Began
BC Patches
BL Blowing
BR Mist >=5/8
DR Low Drifting
DS Dust storm
DU Dust
DZ Drizzle
E - Ended
FC, +FC Funnel Cloud,
   Well-Developed Funnel Cloud
   Tornado or Waterspout
FG Fog
FU Smoke
FZ Freezing
GR Hail (>5mm)
GS Small Hail / Snow
     Pellets  (<5mm)
HZ Haze
IC Ice Crystals
MI Shallow
PL Ice Pellets
PO Well-Developed Dust/Sand Whirls
PR Partial
PY Spray
RA Rain
SA Sand
SG Snow Grains
SH Showers
SN Snow
SQ Squalls Moderate
SS Sandstorm
TS Thunderstorm
UP Unknown Precipitation
VA Volcanic Ash
VC In the Vicinity
Modifiers:   - Light      + Heavy     P More than     M Less than      B Began     E Ended
Sky Conditions:


BKN – Broken cloud layer 5/8ths to 7/8ths
CB – Cumulonimbus
CLR – Sky clear at or below 12,000AGL
FEW – Few cloud layer 0/8ths to 2/8ths
OVC – Overcast cloud layer 8/8ths coverage
SCT – Scattered cloud layer 3/8ths to 4/8ths
SKC – Sky Clear
TCU – Towering Cumulus
Other:


A01 – Automated Observation without precipitation discrimination
A02 – Automated Observation with precipitation discrimination
A3000 – Altimeter setting 30.00”
AMD – Amended forecast
AUTO – without human editing
BECMG – Becoming…  BECMG 0002 = becoming 00 to 02 Zulu
CAVU – Ceiling and visibility unlimited
COR – Correction
DSNT – Distant weather phenomenon
FM – From…   FM0200 = from 0200 Zulu
FROPA – Frontal Passage
LTG – Lightning
LDG – Landing
M – Minus, below zero, “less than”
NO – Not available
NSW – No significant weather
P6SM – Plus 6 Statute Miles, greater than, “more than”
PK WND – Peak Wind
PRESFR/PRESRR – Pressure Falling or Rising Rapidly
PROB40 – Probability of 40%
R04 – Runway 4
RMK – Remarks
RWY – Runway
RVRNO – Runway Visual Range not available
SFC VIS – Surface Visibility
SLP – Sea Level Pressure, add 10 to numbers given
SLPNO – Sea Level Pressure not available
SM – Statute miles
SPECI – Special Report
TEMPO – Temporarily…  TEMPO 0002 = Temporarily 00 to 02 Zulu
T02560179 – Temperature 25.6 dew point 17.9
TWR VIS – Tower Visibility
V – Varying
VIRGA – Virga
VRB – Variable
VRB VIS – Variable Visibility
VV – Vertical Visibility, indefinite ceiling
WS – Wind shear
WSHFT - Wind shift
Encoded Groups:
1sTTT – 6-hourly maximum temperature. 10183 = +18.3 C
2sTTT – 6-hourly minimum temperature. 20144 = +14.4 C
4sXXXsNNN – 24-hour max and min temp. 401001015 = +10.0 to -1.5
4/SSS – Snow depth in inches. 4/021 = 21 inches on ground.
5aPPP – 3-hourly pressure tendency. PPP=tenths hPa change; a=code:
   4=steady 0123=increasing 5678=decreasing; higher#=faster recently
6RRRR – Hundredths of inches of rain in past 3 or 6 hours
7RRRR – Hundredths of inches of rain in past 24 hours (1200Z report)
8/LMH – Cloud types in low, middle, high layers. /=above overcast
   3=dense cirrus; 6=stratus; 9=CB.
933RRR – Water equiv. of snow on ground in tenths. 933036 = 3.6in.
98mmm – Minutes of sunshine previous calendar day (0800Z report).
1sTTT –
Back to Flight Briefing Links
Area Forecast Weather Reports

A
AAF - Army Air Field
AAL - above aerodrome level
AATM - at all times
ABD – aboard
ABNDT - abundant
ABNML - abnormal
ABT - about
ABV - above
AC - altocumulus
ACARS - Aircraft communication addressing & reporting system
ACCUM - accumulate
ACFT - aircraft
ACK - acknowledge
ACL - altimeter check location
ACLD - above clouds
ACLT - accelerate
ACPT - accept
ACR - air carrier
ACRBT - acrobatic
ACRS - across
ACSL - standing lenticular altocumulus
ACT - active or activated or activity
ACTG - acting
ACTV - active
ACTVT - activate
ACYC - anticyclonic
ADA - advisory area
ADDN - addition
ADF - automatic direction finder
ADIZ - air defense identification zone
ADJ - adjacent
ADQT - adequate
ADRNDCK - adirondack
ADV - advise
ADVCTN - advection
ADVN - advance
ADVY - advisory
ADVZY - advisory
AFB - Air Force Base
AFCT - affect
AFD - Airport/Facility Directory
AFDK - after dark
AFSS - Automated Flight Service Station
AFT - after
AFTN - afternoon
AGL - above ground level
AHD - ahead
AIM - Aeronautical Information Manual
AIRMET - Airmen's Meteorological Information
ALF - aloft
ALG - along
ALGHNY - Allegheny
ALNMT - alignment
ALQDS - all quadrants
ALS - approach light system
ALSEC - all sectors
ALSF-1 - standard 2400' high-intensity approach lighting system with sequenced flashers (Category I configuration)
ALSF-2 - standard 2400' high-intensity approach lighting system with sequenced flashers (Category II configuration)
ALSTG - altimeter setting
ALT - altitude
ALTA - Alberta
ALTM - altimeter
ALTN - alternate
ALUTN - Aleutian
AM - ante meridiem
AMS - air mass
AMSL - above mean sea level
ANCPT - anticipate
ANLYS - analysis
AO1 - ASOS automated observation without recipitation discriminator (rain/snow)
AO2 - ASOS automated observation with precipitation discriminator (rain/snow)
AOA - at or above
AOB - at or below
AOE - airport of entry
APCH - approach
APL - airport lights
APLCN - Appalachian
APN - Apron
APRNT - apparent
APROP - appropriate
APRX - approximate
ARB - Air Reserve Base
ARFOR - area forecast
ARINC - Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated
ARND - around
ARTC - air route traffic control
ARTCC - Air Route Traffic Control Center
AS - altostratus
ASAP - as soon as possible
ASDA - accelerate-stop distance available
ASL - above sea level
ASOS - automated surface observing system
ASPH - asphalt
ATA - actual time of arrival
ATIS - automatic terminal information service
ATLC - Atlantic
AURBO - Aurora Borealis
AUTH - authorized
AUTO - automatic
AVG - average
AVGAS - aviation gasoline
AWOS - automatic weather observing/reporting system
AWY - airway
AZM - azimuth

B
BACLIN - Baroclinic 
BAJA - Baja California 
BATROP - Barotropic 
BC - British Columbia 
BCH - Beach 
BCKG - Backing 
BCM - Become 
BCMG - Becoming 
BCMS - Becomes 
BD - Blowing dust 
BDA - Bermuda 
BDRY - Boundary 
BFDK - Before dark 
BFR - Before 
BGN - Begin 
BGNG - Beginning 
BGNS - Begins 
BHND - Behind 
BINOVC - Breaks in overcast 
BKN - Broken 
BLD - Build 
BLDG - Building 
BLDS - Builds 
BLDUP - Buildup 
BLKHLS - Black Hills 
BLKT - Blanket 
BLKTG - Blanketing 
BLKTS - Blankets 
BLO - Below 
BLZD - Blizzard 
BN - Blowing sand 
BND - Bound 
BNDRY - Boundary 
BNDRYS - Boundaries 
BNTH - Beneath 
BOOTHEEL - Bootheel 
BR - Branch 
BRG - Branching 
BRS - Branches 
BRF - Brief 
BRK - Break 
BRKG - Breaking 
BRKHIC - Breaks in higher clouds 
BRKS - Breaks 
BRKSHR - Berkshire 
BRKSHRS - Berkshires 
BRM - Barometer 
BS - Blowing snow 
BTWN - Between 
BYD - Beyond

C
C - Celsius 
CA - California 
CAA - Cold Air Advection 
CARIB - Caribbean 
CASCDS - Cascades 
CAVOK - Ceiling and visibility OK 
CAVU - Ceiling and visibility unlimited 
CB - Cumulonimbus 
CBS - Cumulonimbi 
CC - Cirrocumulus 
CCLDS - Clear of clouds 
CCLKWS - Counter-clockwise 
CCSL - Standing lenticular cirrocumulus 
CDFNT - Cold front 
CDFNTL - Cold frontal 
CFP - Cold front passage 
CG - Cloud-to-ground 
CHC - Chance 
CHCS - Chances 
CHG - Change 
CHGD - Changed 
CHGG - Changing 
CHGS - Changes 
CHSPK - Chesepeake 
CI - Cirrus 
CIG - Ceiling
CIGS - Ceilings 
CLD - Cloud 
CLDNS - Cloudiness 
CLDS - Clouds 
CLKWS - Clockwise 
CLR - Clear 
CLRG - Clearing 
CLRS - Clears 
CMPLX - Complex 
CNCL - Cancel 
CNCLD - Cancelled 
CNCLG - Cancelling 
CNCLS - Cancels 
CNDN - Canadian 
CNTR - Center 
CNTRD - Centered 
CNTRLN - Centerline 
CNTRS - Centers 
CNTRL - Central 
CNTY - County 
CNTYS - Counties 
CNVG - Converge 
CNVGG - Converging 
CNVGNC - Convergence 
CNVTN - Convection 
CNVTV - Convective 
CNVTVLY - Convectively 
CNFDC - Confidence 
CO - Colorado 
COMPAR - Compare 
COMPARG - Comparing 
COMPARD - Compared 
COMPARS - Compares 
COND - Conditions 
CONT - Continue 
CONTD - Continued 
CONTLY - Continually 
CONTG - Continuing 
CONTRAILS - Condensation Trails 
CONTS - Continues 
CONTDVD - Continental Divide 
CONUS - Continental U.S. 
COORD - Coordinate 
COR - Correction 
CPBL - Capable 
CRC - Circle 
CRCLC - Circulate 
CRCLN - Circulation 
CRNR - Corner 
CRNRS- Corners 
CRS- Course 
CS - Cirrostratus 
CSDR - Consider 
CSDRBL - Considerable 
CST - Coast 
CSTL - Coastal 
CT- Connecticut 
CTGY - Category 
CTSKLS - Catskills 
CU - Cumulus 
CUFRA - Cumulus Fractus 
CVR - Cover 
CVRD - Covered 
CVRG - Covering 
CVRS - Covers 
CYC - Cyclonic 
CYCLGN - Cyclogenesis

D
DABRK - Daybreak 
DALGT - Day light 
DBL - Double 
DC - District of Columbia 
DCR - Decrease 
DCRD - Decreased 
DCRG - Decreasing 
DCRGLY - Decreasingly 
DCRS - Decreases 
DE - Delaware 
DEG - Degree 
DEGS - Degrees 
DELMARVA - Delaware-Maryland-Virginia 
DFCLT - Difficult 
DFCLTY - Difficulty 
DFNT - Definite 
DFNTLY - Definitely 
DFRS - Differs 
DFUS - Diffuse 
DGNL - Diagonal 
DGNLLY - Diagonally 
DIGG - Digging 
DIR - Direction 
DISC - Discontinue 
DISCD - Discontinued 
DISCG - Discontinuing 
DISRE - Disregard 
DISRED - Disregarded 
DISREG - Disregarding 
DKTS - Dakotas 
DLA - Delay 
DLAD - Delayed 
DLT - Delete 
DLTD - Deleted 
DLTG - Deleting 
DLY - Daily 
DMG - Damage 
DMGD - Damaged 
DMGG - Damaging 
DMNT - Dominant 
DMSH - Diminish 
DMSHD - Diminished 
DMSHG - Diminishing 
DMSHS - Diminishes 
DNDFTS - Downdrafts 
DNS - Dense 
DNSLP - Downslope 
DNSTRM - Downstream 
DNWND - Down wind 
DP - Deep 
DPND - Deepened 
DPNS - Deepens 
DPR - Deeper 
DPNG - Deepening 
DPTH - Depth 
DRFT - Drift 
DRFTD - Drifted 
DRFTG - Drifting 
DRFTS - Drifts 
DRZL - Drizzle 
DSCNT - Descent 
DSIPT - Dissipate 
DSIPTD - Dissipated 
DSIPTG - Dissipating 
DSIPTN - Dissipation 
DSIPTS - Dissipates 
DSND - Descend 
DSNDG - Descending 
DSNDS - Descends 
DSNT - Distant 
DSTBLZ - Destabilize 
DSTBLZD - Destabilized 
DSTBLZG - Destablizing 
DSTBLZS - Destablizes 
DSTBLZN - Destablization 
DSTC - Distance 
DTRT - Deteriorate 
DTRTD - Deteriorated 
DTRTG - Deteriorating 
DTRTS - Deteriorates 
DURG - During 
DURN - Duration 
DVLP - Develop 
DVLPD - Developed 
DVLPG - Developing 
DVLPMT - Development 
DVLPS - Develops 
DVRG - Diverge 
DVRGG - Diverging 
DVRGNC - Divergence 
DVRGS - Diverges
DVV - Downward vertical velocity
DWNDFTS - Downdrafts 
DWPNT - Dewpoint 
DWPNTS - Dewpoints 
DX - Duplex 

E
E - East 
EBND - East bound 
EFCT - Effect 
ELNGT - Elongate 
ELNGTD - Elongated 
ELSW - Elsewhere 
EMBDD - Embedded 
EMERG - Emergency 
ENCTR - Encounter 
ENDG - Ending 
ENE - East-northeast 
ENELY - East-northeasterly 
ENERN - East-northeastern 
ENEWD - East-northeastward 
ENHNC - Enhance 
ENHNCD - Enhanced 
ENHNCG - Enhancing 
ENHNCS - Enhances 
ENHNCMNT - Enhancement 
ENTR - Entire 
ERN - Eastern 
ERY - Early 
ERYR - Earlier 
ESE - East-southeast 
ESELY - East-southeasterly 
ESERN - East-southeastern 
ESEWD - East-southeastward 
ESNTL - Essential 
ESTAB - Establish 
ESTS - Estimates 
ETA - Eta model 
ETC - Et cetera 
ETIM - Elapsed time 
EVE - Evening 
EWD - Eastward 
EXCLV - Exclusive 
EXCLVLY - Exclusively 
EXCP - Except 
EXPC - Expect 
EXPCD - Expected 
EXPCG - Expecting 
EXTD - Extend 
EXTDD - Extended 
EXTDG - Extending 
EXTDS - Extends 
EXTN - Extension 
EXTRAP - Extrapolate 
EXTRAPD - Extrapolated 
EXTRM - Extreme 
EXTRMLY - Extremely 
EXTSV - Extensive

F
F - Farenheit 
FA - Aviation area forecast 
FAH - Farenheit
FAM - Familiar 
FCST - Forecast 
FCSTD - Forecasted 
FCSTG - Forecasting 
FCSTR - Forecaster 
FCSTS - Forecasts 
FIG - Figure 
FILG - Filling 
FIRAV - First available 
FL - Florida 
FLG - Falling 
FLRY - Flurry 
FLRYS - Flurries 
FLT - Flight 
FLW - Follow 
FLWG - Following 
FM - From 
FMT - Format 
FNCTN - Function 
FNT - Front 
FNTL - Frontal 
FNTS - Fronts 
FNTGNS - Frontogenesis 
FNTLYS - Frontolysis 
FORNN - Forenoon 
FPM - Feet per minute 
FQT - Frequent 
FQTLY - Frequently 
FRM - Form 
FRMG - Forming
FRMN - Formation 
FROPA - Frontal passage 
FROSFC - Frontal surface 
FRST - Frost 
FRWF - Forecast wind factor 
FRZ - Freeze 
FRZN - Frozen 
FRZG - Freezing 
FT - Feet 
FT - Terminal forecast
FTHR - Further 
FVRBL - Favorable 
FWD - Forward 
FYI - For your information

G
G - Gust 
GA - Georgia 
GEN - General 
GENLY - Generally 
GEO - Geographic 

GEOREF - Geographical reference 
GF - Ground fog
GICG - Glaze icing 
GLFALSK - Gulf of Alaska 
GLFCAL - Gulf of California 
GLFMEX - Gulf of Mexico 
GLFSTLAWR - Gulf of St. Lawrence 
GND - Ground 
GNDFG - Ground fog 
GRAD - Gradient 
GRDL - Gradual
GRDLY - Gradually 
GRT - Great 
GRTLY - Greatly 
GRTR - Greater 
GRTST - Greatest 
GRTLKS - Great Lakes 
GSTS - Gusts 
GSTY - Gusty 
GV - Ground visibility

H
HAZ - Hazard 
HCVIS - High clouds visible 
HDFRZ - Hard freeze 
HDSVLY - Hudson Valley 
HDWND - Head wind 
HGT - Height 
HI - High 
HIER - Higher 
HIFOR - High level forecast 
HLF - Half 
HLTP - Hilltop 
HLSTO - Hailstones 
HLYR - Haze layer aloft 
HND - Hundred 
HR - Hour 
HRS - Hours 
HRZN - Horizon 
HTG - Heating 
HURCN - Hurricane 
HUREP - Hurricane report 
HV - Have 
HVY - Heavy 
HVYR - Heavier 
HVYST - Heaviest 
HWVR - However 
HWY - Highway

I
IA - Iowa 
IC - Ice 
ICG - Icing 
ICGIC - Icing in clouds 
ICGIP - Icing in precipitation 
ID - Idaho 
IL - Illinois 
IMDT - Immediate 
IMDTLY - Immediately 
IMPL - Impulse 
IMPLS - Impulses 
IMPT - Important 
INCL - Include 
INCLD - Included 
INCLG - Including 
INCLS - Includes 
INCR - Increase 
INCRD - Increased 
INCRG - Increasing 
INCRGLY - Increasingly 
INCRS - Increases 
INDC - Indicate 
INDCD - Indicated 
INDCG - Indicating 
INDCS - Indicates 
INDEF - Indefinite 
INFO - Information 
INLD - Inland 
INSTBY - Instability 
INTCNTL - Intercontinental 
INTL - International 
INTMD - Intermediate 
INTMT - Intermittent 
INTMTLY - Intermittently 
INTR - Interior 
INTRMTRGN - Intermountain region 
INTS - Intense 
INTSFCN - Intensification 
INTSFY - Intensify 
INTSFYD - Intensified 
INTSFYG - Intensifying 
INTSFYS - Intensifies 
INTSTY - Intensity 
INTVL - Interval 
INVRN - Inversion 
IOVC - In overcast 
INVOF - In vicinity of 
IP - Ice pellets 
IPV - Improve 
IPVG - Improving 
IR - Infrared 
ISOL - Isolate 
ISOLD - Isolated

J
JCTN - Junction 
JTSTR - Jet stream

K
KFRST - Killing frost 
KLYR - Smoke layer aloft 
KOCTY - Smoke over city 
KS - Kansas 
KT - Knots 
KY - Kentucky 

L
LA - Louisiana 
LABRDR - Labrador 
LAT - Latitude 
LCL - Local 
LCLY - Locally 
LCTD - Located 
LCTN - Location 
LCTMP - Little change in temperature 
LEVEL - Level 
LFM - Limited Fine Mesh Model 
LFTG - Lifting 
LGRNG - Long range 
LGT - Light 
LGTR - Lighter 
LGWV - Long wave 
LI - Lifted Index 
LIS - Lifted indices 
LK - Lake 
LKS - Lakes 
LKLY - Likely 
LLJ - Low Level Jet 
LLWS - Low Level Wind Shear 
LLWAS - Low level wind shear alert system 
LMTD - Limited 
LMTG - Limiting 
LMTS - Limits 
LN - Line 
LN - Lines 
LO - Low 
LONG - Longitude 
LONGL - Longitudnal 
LRG - Large 
LRGLY - Largely 
LRGR - Larger 
LRGST - Largest 
LST - Local standard time 
LTD - Limited 
LTG - Lightning 
LTGCC - Lightning cloud-to-cloud
LTGCG - Lightning cloud-to-ground 
LTGCCCG - Lightning cloud-to-cloud cloud-to-ground 
LTGCW - Lightning cloud-to-water 
LTGIC - Lightning in cloud 
LTL - Little 
LTLCG - Little change 
LTR - Later 
LTST - Latest 
LV - Leaving 
LVL - Level 
LVLS - Levels 
LWR - Lower 
LWRD - Lowered 
LWRG - Lowering 
LYR - Layer 
LYRD - Layered 
LYRS - Layers 

M
MA - Massachusetts 
MAN - Manitoba 
MAX - Maximum 
MB - Millibars 
MCD - Mesoscale discussion 
MD - Maryland 
MDFY - Modify 
MDFYD - Modified 
MDFYG - Modifying 
MDL - Model 
MDLS - Models 
MDT - Moderate 
MDTLY - Moderately 
ME - Maine 
MED - Medium 
MEGG - Merging 
MESO - Mesoscale 
MET - Meteorological 
METRO - Metropolitan 
MEX - Mexico 
MHKVLY - Mohawk Valley 
MI - Michigan 
MID - Middle 
MIDN - Midnight 
MIL - Military 
MIN - Minimum 
MISG - Missing 
MLTLVL - Melting level 
MN - Minnesota 
MNLND - Mainland 
MNLY - Mainly 
MO - Missouri 
MOGR - Moderate or greater 
MOV - Move 
MOVD - Moved 
MOVG - Moving 
MOVMT - Movement 
MOVS - Moves 
MPH - Miles per hour 
MRGL - Marginal 
MRGLLY - Marginally 
MRNG - Morning 
MRTM - Maritime 
MS - Mississippi 
MSG - Message 
MSL - Mean sea level 
MST - Most 
MSTLY - Mostly 
MSTR - Moisture 
MT - Montana 
MTN - Mountain 
MTNS - Mountains 
MULT - Multiple 
MULTILVL - Multi-level 
MXD - Mixed 

N
N - North 
NAB - Not above 
NAT - North Atlantic 
NATL - National 
NAV - Navigation 
NB - New Brunswick 
NBND - Northbound 
NBRHD - Neighborhood 
NC - North Carolina 
NCWX - No change in weather 
ND - North Dakota 
NE - Northeast 
NEB - Nebraska 
NEC - Necessary 
NEG - Negative 
NEGLY - Negatively 
NELY - Northeasterly 
NERN - Northeastern 
NEWD - Northeastward 
NEW ENG - New England 
NFLD - Newfoundland 
NGM - Nested Grid Model 
NGT - Night 
NH - New Hampshire 
NIL - None 
NJ - New Jersey 
NL - No layers 
NLT - Not later than 
NLY - Northerly 
NM - New Mexico 
NMBR - Number 
NMBRS - Numbers 
NMC - National Meteorological Center 
NML - Normal 
NMRS - Numerous 
NNE - North-northeast 
NNELY - North-northeasterly 
NNERN - North-northeastern 
NNEWD - North-northeastward 
NNW - North-northwest 
NNWLY - North-northwesterly 
NNWRN - North-northwestern 
NNWWD - North-northwestward 
NNNN - End of message 
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
NOPAC - Northern Pacific 
NPRS - Nonpersistent 
NR - Near 
NRLY - Nearly 
NRN - Northern 
NRW - Narrow 
NS - Nova Scotia 
NTFY - Notify 
NTFYD - Notified 
NV - Nevada 
NVA - Negative vorticity advection 
NW - Northwest 
NWD - Northward 
NWLY - Northwesterly 
NWRN - Northwestern 
NWS - National Weather Service 
NY - New York 
NXT - Next 

O
OAT - Outside Air Temperature OBND - Outbound 
OBS - Observation 
OBSC - Obscure 
OBSCD - Obscured 
OBSCG - Obscuring 
OCFNT - Occluded front 
OCLD - Occlude 
OCLDS - Occludes 
OCLDD - Occluded 
OCLDG - Occluding 
OCLN - Occlusion 
OCNL - Occasional 
OCNLY - Occasionally 
OCR - Occur 
OCRD - Occurred 
OCRG - Occurring 
OCRS - Occurs 
OFC - Office 
OFP - Occluded frontal passage 
OFSHR - Offshore 
OH - Ohio 
OK - Oklahoma 
OMTNS - Over mountains 
ONSHR - On shore 
OR - Oregon 
ORGPHC - Orographic 
ORIG - Original 
OSV - Ocean station vessel 
OTLK - Outlook 
OTP - On top 
OTR - Other 
OTRW - Otherwise 
OUTFLO - Outflow 
OVC - Overcast 
OVNGT - Overnight 
OVR - Over 
OVRN - Overrun 
OVRNG - Overrunning 
OVTK - Overtake 
OVTKG - Overtaking 
OVTKS - Overtakes 

P
PA - Pennsylvania 
PAC - Pacific 
PBL - Planetary boundary layer 
PCPN - Precipitation 
PD - Period 
PDS - Periods 
PDMT - Predominant 
PEN - Peninsula 
PERM - Permanent 
PGTSND - Puget Sound 
PHYS - Physical 
PIBAL - Pilot balloon observation 
PIBALS - Pilot balloon reports 
PIREP - Pilot weather report 
PIREPS - Pilot weather reports 
PLNS - Plains 
PLS - Please 
PLTO - Plateau 
PM - Post meridian 
PNHDL - Panhandle 
POS - Positive 
POSLY - Positively 
PPINE - PPI no echoes 
PPSN - Present position 
PRBL - Probable 
PRBLY - Probably 
PRBLTY - Probability 
PRECD - Precede 
PRECDD - Preceded 
PRECDG - Preceding 
PRECDS - Precedes 
PRES - Pressure 
PRESFR - Pressure falling rapidly 
PRESRR - Pressure rising rapidly 
PRIM - Primary 
PRIN - Principal 
PRIND - Present indications are 
PRJMP - Pressure jump 
PROC - Procedure 
PROD - Produce 
PRODG - Producing 
PROG - Forecast 
PROGD - Forecasted 
PROGS - Forecasts 
PRSNT - Present 
PRSNTLY - Presently 
PRST - Persist 
PRSTS - Persists 
PRSTNC - Persistence 
PRSTNT - Persistent 
PRVD - Provide 
PRVDD - Provided 
PRVDG - Providing 
PRVDS - Provides 
PS - Plus 
PSBL - Possible 
PSBLY - Possibly 
PSBLTY - Possiblity 
PSG - Passage 
PSN - Position 
PSND - Positioned 
PTCHY - Patchy 
PTLY - Partly 
PTNL - Potential 
PTNLY - Potentially 
PTNS - Portions 
PUGET - Puget Sound 
PVA - Positive vorticity advection 
PVL - Prevail 
PVLD - Prevailed 
PVLG - Prevailing 
PVLS - Prevails 
PVLT - Prevalent 
PWR - Power 

Q
QN - Question 
QPFERD - NMC excessive rainfall discussion 
QPFHSD - NMC heavy snow discussion 
QPFSPD - NMC special precipitation discussion 
QSTNRY - Quasistationary 
QUAD - Quadrant 
QUE - Quebec
 

R
R - Rain 
RADAT - Radiosonde observation data 
RAOB - Radiosonde observation 
RAOBS - Radiosonde observations 
RCH - Reach 
RCHD - Reached 
RCHG - Reaching 
RCHS - Reaches 
RCKY - Rocky 
RCKYS - Rockies 
RCMD - Recommend
RCMDD - Recommended 
RCMDG - Recommending 
RCMDS - Recommends 
RCRD - Record 
RCRDS - Records 
RCV - Receive 
RCVD - Received 
RCVG - Receiving 
RCVS - Receives 
RDC - Reduce 
RDGG - Ridging 
RDR - Radar 
RDVLP - Redevelop 
RDVLPG - Redeveloping 
RDVLPMT - Redevelopment 
RE - Regard 
RECON - Reconnaissance 
REF - Reference 
RES - Reserve 
RGL - Regional Model 
RGT - Right 
RHINO - RHI not operative 
RI - Rhode Island

RLBL - Reliable 
REPL - Replace 
REPLD - Replaced
REPLG - Replacing 
REPLS - Replaces 
REQ - Request 
REQS - Requests 
REQSTD - Requested
RESP - Response 
RESTR - Restrict 
RGD - Ragged 
RGLR - Regular 
RGN - Region 
RGNS - Regions 
RH - Relative Humidity 
RIOGD - Rio Grande 
RLTV - Relative 
RLTVLY - Relativily 
RMN - Remain 
RMND - Remained 
RMNDR - Remainder 
RMNG - Remaining 
RMNS - Remains 
RNFL - Rainfall 
ROT - Rotate 
ROTD - Rotated 
ROTG - Rotating 
ROTS - Rotates   
RPD - Rapid 
RPDLY - Rapidly 
RPLC - Replace 
RPLCD - Replaced 
RPLCG - Replacing 
RPLCS - Replaces 
RPRT - Report 
RPRTD - Reported 
RPRTG - Reporting 
RPRTS - Reports 
RPT - Repeat 
RPTG - Repeating 
RPTS - Repeats 
RQR - Require 
RQRD - Required 
RQRG - Requiring 
RQRS - Requires 
RS - Receiver station 
RSG - Rising 
RSN - Reason 
RSNG - Reasoning 
RSNS - Reasons 
RSTR - Restrict 
RSTRD - Restricted 
RSTRG - Restricting 
RSTRS - Restricts 
RTRN - Return 
RTRND - Returned 
RTRNG - Returning 
RTRNS - Returns 
RUF - Rough 
RUFLY - Roughly 
RVS - Revise 
RVSD - Revised 
RVSG - Revising 
RVSS - Revises 
RW - Rain shower

S
S - South 
SA - Surface observation 
SAO - Surface observation 
SAOS - Surface observations 
SASK - Saskatchewan 
SATFY - Satisfactory 
SBND - South bound 
SBSD - Subside 
SBSDD - Subsided 
SBSDNC - Subsidence 
SBSDS - Subsides 
SC - South Carolina 
SCND - Second 
SCNDRY - Secondary 
SCSL - Standing lenticular stratocumulus 
SCT - Scatter 
SCTD - Scattered 
SCTR - Sector 
SD - South Dakota 
SE - Southeast 
SEC - Second 
SELS - Severe Local Storms Unit 
SELY - Southeasterly 
SEPN - Separation 
SEQ - Sequence 
SERN - Southeastern 
SEWD -Southeastward 
SFC - Surface 
SFERICS - Atmospherics 
SG - Snow grains 
SGFNT - Significant 
SGFNTLY - Significantly 
SHFT - Shift 
SHFTD - Shifted 
SHFTG - Shifting 
SHFTS - Shifts 
SHLD - Shield 
SHLW - Shallow 
SHRT - Short 
SHRTLY - Shortly 
SHRTWV - Shortwave 
SHRTWVS - Shortwaves 
SHUD - Should 
SHWR - Shower 
SHWRS - Showers 
SIERNEV - Sierra Nevada 
SIG - Signature 
SIGMET - Significant meteorological information 
SIMUL - Simultaneous 
SKC - Sky clear 
SKED - Schedule 
SLD - Solid 
SLGT - Slight 
SLGTLY - Slightly 
SLO - Slow 
SLOLY - Slowly 
SLOR - Slower 
SLP - Slope 
SLPG - Sloping 
SLT - Sleet 
SLY - Southerly 
SM - Statute mile 
SMK - Smoke 
SML - Small 
SMLR - Smaller 
SMRY - Summary 
SMS - Synchronus meteorological satellite 
SMTH - Smooth 
SMTHR - Smoother 
SMTHST - Smoothest 
SMTM - Sometime 
SMWHT - Somewhat 
SNBNK - Snow bank 
SND - Sand 
SNFLK - Snow flake 
SNGL - Single 
SNOINCR - Snow increase 
SNOINCRG - Snow increasing 
SNST - Sunset 
SNW - Snow 
SNWFL - Snowfall 
SOP - Standard operating procedure 
SP - Snow pellets 
SPCLY - Especially 
SPD - Speed 
SPDS - Speeds 
SPENES - Satellite precipitation estimate statement 
SPKL - Sprinkle 
SPKLS - Sprinkles 
SPLNS - Southern Plains 
SPRD - Spread 
SPRDG - Spreading 
SPRDS - Spreads 
SPRL - Spiral 
SQAL - Squall 
SQLN - Squall line 
SR - Sunrise 
SRN - Southern 
SRND - Surround 
SRNDD - Surrounded 
SRNDG - Surrounding 
SRNDS - Surrounds 
SS - Sunset 
SSE - South-southeast 
SSELY - South-southeasterly 
SSERN - South-southeastern 
SSEWD - South-southeastward 
SSW - South-southwest 
SSWLY - South-southwesterly 
SSWRN - South-southwestern 
SSWWD - South-southwestward 
ST - Stratus 
STAGN - Stagnation 
STBL - Stable 
STBLTY - Stability 
STD - Standard 
STDY - Steady 
STFR - Stratus fractus 
STFRM - Stratiform 
STG - Strong 
STGLY - Strongly 
STGR - Stronger 
STGST - Strongest 
STLT - Satellite 
STM - Storm 
STMS - Storms 
STN - Station 
STNS - Stations 
STNRY - Stationary 
SUB - Substitute 
SUBTRPCL - Subtropical 
SUF - Sufficient 
SUFLY - Sufficiently 
SUG - Suggest 
SUGG - Suggesting 
SUGS - Suggests 
SUP - Supply 
SUPG - Supplying 
SUPR - Superior 
SUPS - Supplies 
SUPSD - Supersede 
SUPSDG - Superseding 
SUPSDS - Supersedes 
SVG - Serving 
SVR - Severe 
SVRL - Several 
SW - Southwest 
SWD - Southward 
SWWD - Southwestward 
SW- - Light snow shower 
SW+ - Heavy snow shower 
SWLG - Swelling 
SWLY - Southwesterly 
SWOMCD - SELS Mesoscale Discussion 
SWRN - Southwestern 
SX - Stability index 
SXN - Section 
SXNS - Sections 
SYNOP - Synoptic 
SYNS - Synopsis 
SYS - System 

T
T - Thunder 
TCNTL - Transcontinental 
TCU - Towering cumulus 
TDA - Today 
TEMP - Temperature 
THD - Thunderhead 
THDR - Thunder 
THK - Thick 
THKNG - Thickening 
THKNS - Thickness 
THKR - Thicker 
THKST - Thickest 
THN - Thin 
THNG - Thinning 
THNR - Thinner 
THNST - Thinnest 
THR - Threshold 
THRFTR - Thereafter 
THRU - Through 
THRUT - Throughout 
THSD - Thousand 
THTN - Threaten 
THTND - Threatened 
THTNG - Threatening 
THTNS - Threatens 
TIL - Until 
TMPRY - Temporary 
TMPRYLY - Temporarilly
TMW - Tomorrow 
TN - Tennessee 
TNDCY - Tendency 
TNDCYS - Tendencies 
TNGT - Tonight 
TNTV - Tentative 
TNTVLY - Tentatively 
TOPS - Tops 
TOVC - Top of overcast 
TPG - Topping 
TRBL - Trouble 
TRIB - Tributary 
TRKG - Tracking 
TRML -Terminal 
TRMT - Terminate 
TRMTD - Terminated 
TRMTG - Terminating 
TRMTS - Terminates 
TRNSP - Transport 
TRNSPG - Transporting 
TROF - Trough 
TROFS - Troughs 
TROP - Tropopause 
TRPCD - Tropical continental 
TRPCL - Tropical 
TRRN - Terrain 
TRSN - Transition 
TRW - Thunderstorm 
TRW+ - Thunderstorm with heavy rain shower 
TSFR - Transfer 
TSFRD - Transfered 
TSFRG - Transfering 
TSFRS - Transfers 
TSHWR - Thundershower 
TSHWRS - Thundershowers 
TSNT - Transient 
TSQLS - Thundersqualls 
TSTM - Thunderstorm 
TSTMS - Thunderstorms 
TS - Thunderstorm with snow 
TS+ - Thunderstorm with heavy snow 
TSW - Thunderstorm with snow showers 
TSW+ - Thunderstorm with heavy snow showers 
TURBC - Turbulence 
TURBT - Turbulent 
TWD - Toward 
TWDS - Towards 
TWI - Twilight 
TWRG - Towering 
TX - Texas 

U
UDDF - Up and down drafts 
UN - Unable 
UNAVBL - Unavailable 
UNEC - Unnecessary 
UNKN - Unknown 
UNL - Unlimited 
UNRELBL - Unreliable 
UNRSTD - Unrestricted 
UNSATFY - Unsatisfactory 
UNSBL - Unseasonable 
UNSTBL - Unstable 
UNSTDY - Unsteady 
UNSTL - Unsettle 
UNSTLD - Unsettled 
UNUSBL - Unusable 
UPDFTS - Updrafts 
UPR - Upper 
UPSLP - Upslope 
UPSTRM - Upstream 
URG - Urgent 
USBL - Usable 
UT - Utah 
UVV - Upward vertical velocity 
UVVS - Upward vertical velocities 
UWNDS - Upper winds 

V
VA - Virginia 
VARN - Variation 
VCNTY - Vicinity 
VCOT - VFR conditions on top 
VCTR - Vector 
VDUC - VAS Data Utilization Center (NSSFC) 
VFY - Verify 
VFYD - Verified 
VFYG - Verifying 
VFYS - Verifies 
VLCTY - Velocity 
VLCTYS - Velocities 
VLNT - Violent 
VLNTLY - Violently 
VLY - Valley 
VLYS - Valleys 
VMC - Visual meteorological conditions 
VOL - Volume 
VORT - Vorticity 
VR - Veer 
VRG - Veering 
VRBL - Variable 
VRISL - Vancouver Island, BC 
VRS - Veers 
VRT MOTN - Vertical Motion 
VRY - Very 
VSB - Visible 
VSBY - Visibility 
VSBYDR - Visibility decreasing rapidly 
VSBYIR - Visibility increasing rapidly 
VT - Vermont 
VV - Vertical velocity 

W
W - West 
WA - Washington 
WAA - Warm Air Advection 
WBND - West bound 
WDLY - Widely 
WDSPRD - Widespread
WEA - Weather 
WFO - Weather Forecast Office 
WFOS - Weather Forecast Offices 
WFP - Warm front passage 
WI - Wisconsin 
WIBIS - Will be issued 
WINT - Winter 
WK - Weak 
WKDAY - Weekday 
WKEND - Weekend 
WKNG - Weakening 
WKNS - Weakens 
WKR - Weaker 
WKST - Weakest 
WKN - Weaken 
WL - Will 
WLY - Westerly 
WND - Wind 
WNDS - Winds 
WNW - West-northwest 
WNWLY - West-northwesterly 
WNWRN - West-northwestern 
WNWWD - West-northwestward 
WO - Without 
WPLTO - Western Plateau 
WRM - Warm 
WRMG - Warming 
WRN - Western 
WRMR - Warmer 
WRMST - Warmest 
WRMFNT - Warm front 
WRMFNTL - Warm Frontal 
WRNG - Warning 
WRNGS - Warnings 
WRS - Worse 
WSHFT - Wind shift 
WSHFTS - Wind Shifts 
WSFO - Weather Service Forecast Office 
WSFOS - Weather Service Forecast Offices 
WSO - Weather Service Office 
WSOS - Weather Service Offices 
WSTCH - Wasatch Range 
WSW - West-southwest 
WSWLY - West-southwesterly 
WSWRN - West-southwestern 
WSWWD - West-southwestward 
WTR - Water 
WTRS - Waters 
WTSPT - Waterspout 
WTSPTS - Waterspouts 
WUD - Would 
WV - West Virginia 
WVS - Waves 
WW - Severe Weather Watch 
WWAMKC - Status Report 
WWD - Westward 
WWS - Severe Weather Watches 
WX - Weather 
WY - Wyoming 

X
XCP - Except 
XPC - Expect 
XPCD - Expected 
XPCG - Expecting 
XPCS - Expects 
XPLOS - Explosive 
XTND - Extend 
XTNDD - Extended 
XTNDG - Extending 
XTRM - Extreme 
XTRMLY - Extremely 

Y
YDA - Yesterday 
YKN - Yukon 
YLSTN - Yellowstone 

Z
ZL - Freezing drizzle 
ZN - Zone 
ZNS - Zones
ZR - Freezing rain

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